It's not just the difference in the approvals, it's the difference between a federal vs. state race. Voters may be fine electing a Republican as governor, but they will not come close to electing one at the federal level to be a foot soldier for Southern Republicans like Mitch McConnell. Kind of like how Oklahoma may elect the occasional Dem governor, but won't come close to electing one to the Senate.
Agreed. See 2012 HI Senate Race (Popular former republican governor gets demolished by incumbent dem senator)
